New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers (Round #3 NHL Playoffs by the Numbers)
By Marc Penner
The New York Rangers are back in the Eastern Conference Finals. It is a welcome return, since the loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021-2022. The Rangers will battle it out with the Florida Panthers in Round #3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The winner of this series gets a spot in the Finals and is crowned, Eastern Conference Champions.
As funny it sounds, at this time, the New York Rangers are only Half-Way-There, to their ultimate goal of winning The Coolest Trophy in all of Sports.
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The Stanley Cup is the Hardest Trophy to Win. Period. It is a 4-Round Grind. It takes 16 Wins during this Three-Month Marathon, to win it all. It is a war of attrition. It is the ultimate test of composure, character, and the will-to-win. The dedication and focus needed, from everyone on the Team, is unmatched in any other sport.
The New York Rangers disposed of the Washington Capitals 4-0, in Round #1.
The Blueshirts took out a heated rival, the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2, in Round #2. Remember 2-games went into Overtime and one of those games went into Double OT. If you watched these games, you know just how close these two teams were to one another.
Welcome to Round #3…
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New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers
The Game by The Numbers…
New York Rangers Record as of April 18.2024 - End of Regular Season
55-23-4 = 114
1st - in the Metropolitan Division
1st - in Eastern Conference
1st – Overall, in NHL
I am sticking with the fact that the Rangers bring their Deepest Lineup yet, into this series. NYR plays a Patient-Puck-Possession game style, with Tough Team D and Great Goaltending.
Vs
Florida Panthers Record as of April 18.2024 - End of Regular Season
52-24-6 = 110
1st - in the Atlantic Division
3rd- in Eastern Conference
4th – Tied-Overall, in NHL
Florida knocked on Stanley’s door last year and lost to a stacked Vegas Knights team. These Panthers are motivated to return to challenge for the Holy Grail once again. They have Team Depth, Team Toughness and a Goalie that can win games all on his own.
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NEW YORK RANGERS
Keep an Eye On
Zibanejad # 93 F 26G-46A-72 Pts Luke Warm Season - Red-Hot Playoffs with 14 points.
Panarin #10 F 49G-71A-120 Pts Career Year for #10 – Not Dominant but Noticeable in Playoffs with 11 points.
Kreider #20 F 39G-36A-75 Pts The Heart of NYR. Period. The Natural Hat-Trick to close out the Canes in Games 6, will become a Legendary Tale, when the Blueshirts win it all.
Trocheck #16 F 25G-52A-77 Pts 58.3% Faceoff Win%. Setting the Playoff Tone with 14 points.
Shesterkin #31 G 2.40 GAA / .923 Save% The Best G-Man since the All-Star Game.
Rangers Key Injuries
Wheeler #17 F Feb14.24 IR-Out Lower Body
Chytil #72 F Nov01.24 IR-DTD Illness
Cracks in the NYR Ice
Ranger Turnovers, Temperance, as well as Toughness will be tested in this tilt.
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FLORIDA PANTHERS
Keep an Eye On
Tkachuk #19 F 26-62-88 Pts The Heart of the Panthers Leads their Charge with 14 Playoff points.
Reinhart #13 C 57-37-94 Pts A sniper in the Regular Season. 9 points in the Playoffs.
Barkov #16 C 23-57-80 Pts Another Rock-Solid Panther who just produces, 13 Playoff points.
Bobrovsky # G . 902 Save % as well as a 2.37 GAA.
Panthers Key Injuries
None
Cracks in the Cats Ice
The Emotional Toll that it takes on an Individual, let alone a Team just make it to the Cup is huge, let alone in back-to-back seasons. Mismatches are available on D, can NYR exploit them? Goaltending. It’s Bob or Bust in FLA.
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Analysis / Pens Scouting Report
New York Rangers Record as of April 18.2024 - End of Regular Season
55-23-4 = 114
Florida Panthers Record as of April 18.2024 - End of Regular Season
52-24-6 = 110
NYR Goals For 278
FLA Goals For 265
NYR Goals Against 226
FLA Goals Against 198
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NYR Power Play 26.4%
FLA Power Play 23.5%
NYR Penalty Kill 84.5%
FLA Penalty Kill 82.5%
NYR Penalty Minutes 763
FLA Penalty Minutes 1106
NYR Team Faceoff 52.3%
FLA Team Faceoff 51.3%
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NYR Team Goals Against Average 2.76
FLA Team Goals Against Average 2.41
NYR Team Save % .912
FLA Team Save % .918
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My View from the Cheap Seats
Section: TV Row: PVR Seat: The Couch
The New York Rangers are Deep, Patient, have Rock-Solid Goaltending as well as effective Special Teams.
The Panthers ALSO have a Deep Team, with Great Goaltending, and play aggressive. If the refs actually call it as they see it, the NYR PP, just might be the difference in this one.
Offense: NYR
Defense: FLA
Special Teams: NYR
In my humble opinion, comparing and analyzing the data listed in my scouting report above, the stats say the New York Rangers should win this series, And my eye test agrees with me, the New York Rangers will win this series. NO Quit NYR.
Pen’s Pick: NYR to Win
Quote of the Day:
“Sometimes you must simply throw logic out the window and see the reality of it all.”
Marc Penner
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